A subject specialist-centric model for library resources management in academic libraries

2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 281-294
Author(s):  
Mingyue Chen ◽  
Joyline Makani ◽  
Michael Bliemel
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Value Assessment ◽  
Comprehensive Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Canadian Research ◽  
Subject Specialist

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze factors affecting decision-making on libraries’ electronic resources management under the situation of tight budgets in Canadian research universities. Design/methodology/approach Interview was adopted to investigate library resources management leaders’ opinions from English-speaking university members of the Group of Canadian Research University Libraries. Findings A comprehensive model is developed for library resources’ management. Subject specialists are the key of the model integrating marketing roles and evaluation roles. Research limitations/implications The main limitations of this study are the small sample size of interview candidates, which may have application limitations on other types of libraries and universities in different areas. Practical implications This study generates a comprehensive model based on past research, contributing to future library decision-making practices. Originality/value It develops a subject specialist-centric model of library resources’ value assessment and brings the element of culture into future studies of academic library.

The internationalization strategies of rapidly internationalizing high-tech UK SMEs

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 421-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave Crick ◽  
James Crick
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Niche Markets ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Parental Decision Making ◽  
Internationalization Strategies ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate aspects of causation and effectuation decision-making in respect of the planned and unplanned nature of the internationalization strategies of a small sample of rapidly internationalizing, high-tech UK small and medium enterprises (SMEs). These exhibit four different rates of scale of international intensity (percentage of overseas sales to total sales) and market scope (geographical coverage and commitment). Design/methodology/approach – Interviews with managers of 16 independently owned high-technology-oriented manufacturing SMEs were undertaken in this investigation to reduce the potential effect of bias from parental decision-making and firm size, also trade sectoral conditions. These were drawn from an existing database. Findings – Aspects of both causation and effectuation logic were evident in planned and unplanned aspects of decision-making. Moreover, industry factors were seen to affect internationalization strategies in various ways and not least in respect of the need to exploit windows of opportunity in international niche markets and the usefulness of utilizing managers’ experience and networks in the sector in which firms operated. Originality/value – The contribution of this study is to build on earlier work where authors have used different terminology to describe firms that have internationalized soon after their foundation. Specifically, with respect to the planned versus unplanned nature of respective internationalization strategies and the causation as opposed to effectuation logic in decision-making.

The library succession planner’s decision-making style

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 497-510
Author(s):  
Gihani S. Rajapakse ◽  
K. Kiran
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Succession Planning ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Decision Style ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Decision Making Styles

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore succession planning in academic libraries, specifically to understand how succession planning is carried out and how the decisions-making styles of library managers influence each stage of the succession planning. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach was used to gather data through a document analysis and interviews with library managers at four Sri Lankan university libraries. Data analysis was done applying the framework analysis (FA) tool. Findings The study revealed that succession planning has been practiced in Sri Lankan university libraries to develop a bench strength, skilled backup for key positions at all levels, while inculcating leadership competencies in their respective positions. The dominant decision style is the identifiable decision-making style within the succession planning process. Research limitations/implications The volume of the data obtained depends largely on the participants’ responses, and the interpretation of the data is subjected to minimum personal biasness of the researcher. Practical implications An understanding of how decision-making styles influence practices of succession planning contributes to assist library managers to carry out succession planning within the limitations of their autonomy to do so. The findings of this study benefit library managers in recognizing their own decision-making styles and the level of succession planning they have achieved. Social implications Library managers’ decision-making style can have an influence on how succession planning is carried out successfully at an academic library to ensure continuity of the library’s mission and vision. Originality/value This is the first known study to investigate how decision-making style of the manager influences each level of the succession planning at an academic library. The use of a systematic FA method for the qualitative data analysis reveals trustworthy results.

Understanding and motivating academic library employees: theoretical implications

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 203-214
Author(s):  
Bibi Alajmi ◽  
Hessah Alasousi
Keyword(s):  
Academic Library ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Hierarchy Of Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Maslow's Hierarchy Of Needs ◽  
Needs Satisfaction ◽  
Self Actualization ◽  
Maslow’S Hierarchy Of Needs

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the levels of motivation and needs satisfaction of academic library employees, adopting Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to examine individuals’ motivation. Design/methodology/approach The study collects and analyzes quantitative survey data. The research population comprises 108 employees working across eight college libraries at Kuwait University. Findings While participants generally agreed that their needs were being satisfied at each of the five levels of Maslow’s hierarchy, they reported higher levels of satisfaction of their self-actualization and social needs. Self-actualization is the summit of Maslow’s motivation theory representing the quest for reaching one’s full potential as a person. Research limitations/implications One limitation is the relatively small sample size due to Kuwait having only one public university. Future research could overcome this limitation by investigating both private and public universities. Practical implications This research contributes significantly and in various ways to understanding motivation in a library setting. It elucidates many aspects of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory criticized in previous literature. Overall, the study’s results should be useful to scholars in the library field interested in motivation, to academic librarians and to managers in academia. Originality/value Though many prior studies have focused on motivation in a library setting, Maslow’s theory has been little considered in the context of academic libraries. This study uses a theoretical framework based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to understand and explain the levels of motivation and needs satisfaction of academic library employees.

scholarly journals Library orientation practices in special libraries

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 525-536
Author(s):  
Melissa Fraser-Arnott
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Orientation Program ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Special Library ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
Host Organization

Purpose The library orientation session is an important marketing tool because it offers the first opportunity for library staff to connect with new clients (Craft and Ballard-Thrower, 2011; Rhoades and Hartsell, 2008). This paper aims to explore library orientation practices in special libraries and information centers with the goal of surveying current practices and identifying guidance for successful orientation program design and delivery. Design/methodology/approach This study explored library orientation practices in special libraries and information services through an electronic survey. The survey questions were developed based on themes that emerged from case studies on library orientations from the academic library literature. These themes included reasons for library orientation program redesigns, the importance of partnerships in orientation design and delivery and the tools and techniques used in the delivery of orientation sessions. Findings The results revealed that library orientations are taking place in special libraries, but there is no consistent approach to library orientation delivery. Even within a single library, multiple approaches to library orientations are taken based on client availability, demand and information needs observations of library staff. Participants’ responses were analyzed to develop recommendations for special library orientations. These include developing partnerships (particularly with human resource departments), using technology strategically, considering the timing of orientations for new potential clients in relation to their start as new employees in the host organization, customizing library orientations based on client segment, engaging in ongoing outreach, and being flexible in design and delivery methods. Research limitations/implications This study represents a starting step in an exploration of library orientation practices in special libraries. The key limitation of this study was the low response rate leading to small sample size. A larger sample of special libraries would be needed to produce a quantitative analysis of the prevalence of practices with an acceptable degree of statistical significance. Alternately, smaller samples of special libraries organized by characteristics such as size or type (e.g. corporate libraries, law libraries and medical libraries) could be conducted to determine if distinctive trends exist within these special library types. Practical implications This study revealed information about key practices and challenges that can be used by special library practitioners seeking to implement or redesign a library orientation program in their library. Originality/value While academic and practitioner literature exists detailing library orientation activities in academic and school libraries, there are very few papers on special library orientations. This study fills a gap in the literature by investigating library orientation practices in special libraries and information centers.

Marketing academic library information services using social media

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 228-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suha AlAwadhi ◽  
Sultan M. Al-Daihani
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Use Of Social Media

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the use of social media in the marketing of academic library resources and services in Kuwait and identifies the factors related to the use of social media applications in marketing academic libraries.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative data-collection approach using a paper and online questionnaire has been employed to elicit the opinions of librarians working in academic libraries in Kuwait in both private and public institutions. In total, 89 valid questionnaires have been analyzed using descriptive (frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (factor analysis, correlations, experimental analysis and regression).FindingsThe study shows that the academic librarians have a positive perception toward the use of social media. The identified factors relating to the use of social media for marketing library information resources and services are the usefulness of social media tools in raising awareness and in providing needs analysis and satisfaction assessments. However, management support for the use of social media for library marketing is poor.Practical implicationsThis study provides insights into the factors related to the use of modern social media platforms to promote information resources and services at academic libraries to provide outreach services to current and potential users.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the field of information studies as it highlights the importance of using social media platforms in marketing academic library information resources and services. Library administrators could use the results to develop social media marketing plans to effectively promote their library resources.

An exploratory study of team conflict in the capital investment decision-making process

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 960-985
Author(s):  
Frank Lefley
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Team Performance ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Sample Number ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Team Conflict ◽  
Investment Appraisal ◽  
Personal Conflict

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the current management perceptions regarding conflict within teams, specifically looking at capital investment appraisals, with the aim of improving team performance.Design/methodology/approachThe research was undertaken in two stages. The first stage is based on a postal questionnaire survey relating to the appraisal of capital investments, addressed to large UK organisations. The second stage was conducted through semi-structured interviews, which were followed by a short-questionnaire sent out by e-mail, and designed from the information obtained from the interviews. The research is both qualitative and quantitative.FindingsFrom the exploratory study, the author was able to identify and further investigate what the author’s respondents termed “personal” and “departmental” conflicts, as well as what the author perceived to be “good” (positive) conflict and “bad” (negative) conflict. The author finds that controlled “departmental” conflict may lead to enhanced decision making, while “personal” conflict may be destructive and lead to non-optimal decision making. The author also identified the importance of the investment appraisal “procedure” as distinct from the individual models used, and suggests that this is one way of controlling conflict within teams.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited by the fact that it is based on individual perceptions of a small sample number. However, the sample consists of some of the most senior executives from the largest UK organisations whose views are usually difficult to obtain by academics.Practical implicationsIt provides senior managers with a comprehensive view, by their peers, and a better understanding of team conflict, especially with regard to “personal” and “departmental” conflicts; thus, allowing them to manage teams more efficiently in the future.Originality/valueThe research is unique in that it focusses on conflict within teams that are given the specific task of appraising capital projects and it theorises on what the respondents’ terms “departmental” and “personal” conflict. It brings up-to-date, managements’ current perception of team conflict and contributes to the ongoing search for a better understanding of conflict within business teams, and ultimately to an enhanced team performance and improved decision making.

The approaches used to make change decisions and the influencing determinants

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 269-277
Author(s):  
Zhixian Yi
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Library Directors ◽  
Library Size ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managing Change ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Dual Approaches ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis study aimed for the examination of the change decision-making approaches utilised by academic library directors and the identification and explanation of the determinants of the utilised approaches.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from a survey. The content analysis was utilised to analyse the qualitative data. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data.FindingsThe findings resulted in the identification of the approaches used to make change decisions and three categories of determinants. Directors actually utilised multiple and dual approaches more than single approaches to make change decisions. The determinants of number of library branches, number of subordinates, total years of directorship and years of present position played a significant role in the utilised approaches to making change decisions. However, the findings demonstrate that the determinants of age, gender, library size, library type, number of different positions, total years of library service and education level were not significant determinants of the utilised approaches to making change decisions.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation is that the results of this study are not applicable and generalisable to academic libraries beyond this classification using in this study.Practical implicationsThe change decision-making approaches and the identified determinants will be useful and valuable for leaders and managers to make better decisions while managing change in the digital age.Originality/valueThe identification of the approaches and determinants provides information professionals with new knowledge and enables them to reflect the determinants of the utilised approaches and to make better change decisions in a given situation.

scholarly journals Cognitive influences shaping grade decision-making

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-178
Author(s):  
Ian Pownall ◽  
Victoria Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cognitive Influences ◽  
Data Collection Instrument ◽  
Management Students ◽  
Additional Constraints

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the influences that shape the intention of a grading decision at the point at which it is made. This can be particularly important when those influences may vary during the marking process making reflective analyses also difficult to explore. Design/methodology/approach The authors draw upon a small sample of assessed scripts from two UK higher educational institutions and undertake a factor analysis of potentially important influences that shape the grading decision at the cognitive point it is made. Findings The authors’ findings indicate that for the sample analysed, the marker’s most important influences were those associated with the normative view of marking, although they also suggest potential influences from when the script was graded and the fatigue of the marker concerned. Research limitations/implications The work is confined to management students and limited by the sample size. A factor analysis reveals the cluster of influences that contribute to observed grade outcomes but provides less clarity upon relative inter-dependencies between those factors. There are additional constraints in that the constructed data collection tool was self-administered. Practical implications The data collection instrument (VBA Excel workbook) is, the authors believe, quite innovative in capturing immediate cognitive reflections. It could be developed for other decision-making research. The authors also believe there are staff developmental outcomes from the work, to sustain and enhance assurance in the grading process. Originality/value As far as the authors can determine, research that has explored the influences shaping grading and mark allocation tends to be reflective or undertaken after the event. The authors’ research data are constructed at the same time as the grade/mark is determined.

To buy or not to buy? A case study of Western books at Peking University Library

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 64-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaodong Li ◽  
Nanyan Liang ◽  
Suqing Liu
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Interlibrary Loan ◽  
Professional Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Library ◽  
Delivery Times ◽  
Peking University ◽  
Decision Making Model

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a decision-making model for buy vs borrow selection decisions. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conduct a statistical analysis of circulation transactions and Interlibrary Loan (ILL) request data related to Western books as well as the overall subject content of local collections. They compare the relative costs and delivery times for obtaining materials through interlibrary loan channels vs purchase from domestic or foreign publishers. Based on this analysis, they make recommendations for buy vs borrow decision-making model relevant to the Western books collection at the Peking University Library. Findings – For materials available domestically, requesting through ILL is the preferred acquisitions strategy because of the low cost of domestic service and the comparable speed of delivery. Materials that can only be obtained from foreign libraries are best acquired through a combination of purchase-on-demand and ILL. Originality/value – This paper adds to the corpus of professional literature on buy vs borrow collection development models but adds a unique perspective by applying this model to a Western book collection in a Chinese academic library.

Book or NOOK? Information behavior of academic librarians

2015 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 374-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth McDonald ◽  
Marina Rosenfield ◽  
Tim Furlow ◽  
Tara Kron ◽  
Irene Lopatovska
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Information Behavior ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Academic Librarians ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand patterns in information behavior of academic librarians, individuals who influence information technology adoption in academic libraries and parent institutions. Librarians’ perception of their student patrons’ information behavior was also investigated. Design/methodology/approach – An exploratory study investigated professional and personal information behavior of eight librarians employed by various academic institutions in the Greater New York City area. The data were collected in face-to-face interviews and analyzed using the content analysis technique. Findings – The study found that librarians’ institutional affiliations had no effect on their information behavior. The patterns in librarians’ information behavior at work and leisure suggest that those behaviors are influenced by contextual variables, personal preferences and tasks, and are no different from the general population. Overall, librarians had accurate, evidence-driven understanding of their student patrons’ information behavior. Research limitations/implications – The study findings have limited generalizability due to the small sample size and limited geographical pool of participants. Practical implications – Academic library is often seen as the hub of the adoption of information technologies as librarians introduce new digital content and resources to the rest of academia. Understanding information behavior of academic librarians contributes to understanding factors that are affecting technology adoption in academia overall, and can potentially inform recommendations for optimizing academic library offerings. Originality/value – The study is an original investigation of the relationships between institutional characteristics and librarian demographics, librarian information behavior at work and leisure, and librarians’ perception of students’ information behavior and information preferences.

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